The course in accessories teaches students how to become accessory designers. During the three-year course those participating will develop their individual creative skills. The introduction and building of the technical component of the knowledge set will provide the student with an independently informed position on design to be able to work in confidence on creative products. The course enhances the technical, design and business skills necessary to create and design accessory products: handbags, leather goods, shoes, eyewear, belts, hats, scarves and jewellery. By means of an attentive study and research into the creative design and development of the accessory from a historical perspective, students are able to contextualize their study. To further enable students in this endeavour they assess current trends in accessory design, the application of traditional and innovative materials and product function together with the needs of the client and the contemporary lifestyle the client leads. The technical aspects of the development of new products will be studied, as well as their industrial feasibility in accordance with the luxury and style standards of the brand. The research of materials will be the first step in the development of project proposals, experimental innovations in design through both traditional and new techniques, enhanced by the use of appropriate 3D software programmes to achieve virtual simulations of objects. Through a product prototyping process, the conceptual visualisation, formal analysis and a feasibility study of the production will be undertaken. In collaboration with important companies active in this sector, individual creative sensibilities will be encouraged in synergy with business and production possibilities. The growth in accessories in the international market has become a strategic business development model for fashion brands and luxury. Designers have a leading role in this emerging market, able to understand and interpret contemporary trends, thereby offering market strategies for the brand and satisfying the needs of a specific target market. Accessories in fashion complete a look and often define the customer aspirations in style and status. Accessory designers can work in commercial industry, maker studios or design studios, small-scale accessory companies, in fashion ateliers or as a freelance designer. The knowledge they have acquired during the course also allows them to cover the role of product manager for important fashion and luxury brands, as they are able to evaluate fashion, design, trend, production, brand image and the needs of the market.

on completion of the three-year course in luxury accessories, the student will be able to: * conduct independent research to inform design ideas for accessories; * apply different drawing techniques to illustrate fashion accessories; * use modeling techniques to develop ideas for design details; * demonstrate knowledge of materials and technical drawing skill for the creation and prototyping of bags and shoes; * use appropriate design software to create technical drawings and illustrated 3D designs for a professional presentation of accessories; * design a collection of accessories that satisfies the needs of the identified market; * manage and respect workloads and deadlines in a professional manner.